Front-end architecture having quadplexer for carrier aggregation and MIMO support

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, a front-end architecture can include a quadplexer configured to support uplink carrier aggregation with a first antenna. The quadplexer can include a low-band filter, a mid-band filter, a first high-band filter, and a second high-band filter, with each filter having a respective input node, and the quadplexer including a common output node associated with the first antenna. The front-end architecture can further include a triplexer configured to support uplink carrier aggregation with a second antenna. The triplexer can include a mid-band filter, a first high-band filter, and a second high-band filter, with each filter having a respective input node, and the triplexer including a common output node associated with the second antenna.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Nos.62/486,565 filed Apr. 18, 2017, entitled SPLIT TRIPLEXER ARCHITECTUREFOR CARRIER AGGREGATION AND MIMO SUPPORT IN ADVANCED RADIO-FREQUENCYFRONT-ENDS, 62/486,573 filed Apr. 18, 2017, entitled SPLIT DIPLEXERARCHITECTURE FOR CARRIER AGGREGATION AND MIMO SUPPORT IN ADVANCEDRADIO-FREQUENCY FRONT-ENDS, and 62/486,578 filed Apr. 18, 2017, entitledQUADPLEXER ARCHITECTURE FOR CARRIER AGGREGATION AND MIMO SUPPORT INADVANCED RADIO-FREQUENCY FRONT-ENDS, the disclosure of each of which ishereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to front-end systems, devices, circuitsand/or methods for wireless applications.

Description of the Related Art

In wireless applications, a front-end provides an interface between aradio-frequency circuit and one or more antennas. Such a radio-frequencycircuit can provide either or both of transmit and receivefunctionalities.

SUMMARY

According to some teachings, the present disclosure relates to amultiplexing architecture that includes an assembly of filtersconfigured to support carrier aggregation with one or more antennas. Theassembly of filters includes a first triplexer configured to support alow-band, a mid-band, and a first high-band. The assembly of filtersfurther includes a second triplexer configured to support the low-band,the mid-band, and a second high-band. The multiplexing architecturefurther includes a switch assembly implemented between the assembly offilters and respective one or more nodes associated with the one or moreantennas.

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a packagedmodule for wireless applications. The packaged module includes apackaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components, anda multiplexing circuit implemented on the packaging substrate. Themultiplexing circuit includes an assembly of filters configured tosupport carrier aggregation with one or more antennas. The assembly offilters includes a first triplexer configured to support a low-band, amid-band, and a first high-band. The assembly of filters furtherincludes a second triplexer configured to support the low-band, themid-band, and a second high-band. The multiplexing circuit furtherincludes a switch assembly implemented between the assembly of filtersand respective one or more nodes associated with the one or moreantennas.

In a number of implementations, the present disclosure relates to awireless device that includes a transceiver and a plurality of antennaseach configured to support either or both of transmit and receiveoperations. The wireless device further includes a multiplexingarchitecture implemented between the transceiver and the plurality ofantennas, and includes an assembly of filters configured to supportcarrier aggregation with one or more of the plurality of antennas. Theassembly of filters includes a first triplexer configured to support alow-band, a mid-band, and a first high-band. The assembly of filtersfurther includes a second triplexer configured to support the low-band,the mid-band, and a second high-band. The multiplexing architecturefurther includes a switch assembly implemented between the assembly offilters and respective one or more nodes associated with the one or moreantennas.

In accordance with some implementations, the present disclosure relatesto a multiplexing architecture that includes an assembly of filtersconfigured to support carrier aggregation with one or more antennas. Theassembly of filters includes a first diplexer configured to support amid-band and a first high-band. The assembly of filters further includesa second diplexer configured to support the mid-band and a secondhigh-band. The multiplexing architecture further includes a switchassembly implemented between the assembly of filters and respective oneor more nodes associated with the one or more antennas.

In a number of teachings, the present disclosure relates to a packagedmodule for wireless applications. The packaged module includes apackaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components, anda multiplexing circuit implemented on the packaging substrate. Themultiplexing circuit includes an assembly of filters configured tosupport carrier aggregation with one or more antennas. The assembly offilters includes a first diplexer configured to support a mid-band and afirst high-band. The assembly of filters further includes a seconddiplexer configured to support the mid-band and a second high-band. Themultiplexing circuit further includes a switch assembly implementedbetween the assembly of filters and respective one or more nodesassociated with the one or more antennas.

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a wirelessdevice that includes a transceiver and a plurality of antennas eachconfigured to support either or both of transmit and receive operations.The wireless device further includes a multiplexing architectureimplemented between the transceiver and the plurality of antennas, andhaving an assembly of filters configured to support carrier aggregationwith one or more of the plurality of antennas. The assembly of filtersincludes a first diplexer configured to support a mid-band and a firsthigh-band. The assembly of filters further includes a second diplexerconfigured to support the mid-band and a second high-band. Themultiplexing architecture further includes a switch assembly implementedbetween the assembly of filters and respective one or more nodesassociated with the one or more antennas.

In some teachings, the present disclosure relates to a multiplexingarchitecture having a quadplexer configured to support carrieraggregation with a common antenna. The quadplexer includes a low-bandfilter, a mid-band filter, a first high-band filter, and a secondhigh-band filter, with each filter having a respective input node, andthe quadplexer including a common output node.

In a number of implementations, the present disclosure relates to afront-end architecture that includes a quadplexer configured to supportuplink carrier aggregation with a first antenna. The quadplexer includesa low-band filter, a mid-band filter, a first high-band filter, and asecond high-band filter, with each filter having a respective inputnode, and the quadplexer including a common output node associated withthe first antenna. The front-end architecture further includes atriplexer configured to support uplink carrier aggregation with a secondantenna. The triplexer includes a mid-band filter, a first high-bandfilter, and a second high-band filter, with each filter having arespective input node, and the triplexer including a common output nodeassociated with the second antenna.

In some implementations, the present disclosure relates to a wirelessdevice having a transceiver and a plurality of antennas each configuredto support either or both of transmit and receive operations. Thewireless device further includes a front-end architecture implementedbetween the transceiver and the antennas. The front-end architectureincludes a quadplexer configured to support uplink carrier aggregationwith a first antenna. The quadplexer includes a low-band filter, amid-band filter, a first high-band filter, and a second high-bandfilter, with each filter having a respective input node, and thequadplexer including a common output node associated with the firstantenna. The front-end architecture further includes a triplexerconfigured to support uplink carrier aggregation with a second antenna.The triplexer includes a mid-band filter, a first high-band filter, anda second high-band filter, with each filter having a respective inputnode, and the triplexer including a common output node associated withthe second antenna.

For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantagesand novel features of the inventions have been described herein. It isto be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may beachieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention.Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner thatachieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taughtherein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taughtor suggested herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a multiplexing architecture having one or more featuresas described herein.

FIG. 2 shows that in some embodiments, the multiplexing architecture ofFIG. 1 can be implemented at least partially in a front-end of awireless device having multiple antennas.

FIG. 3 shows an example front-end architecture having a single triplexerconfigured to support a low-band (LB), a mid-band (MB), and a high-band(HB), where the high-band has a large frequency range with a lower endseparated from an upper end of the mid-band a relatively small frequencygap.

FIG. 4 shows an example front-end architecture in which the triplexerfunctionality of FIG. 3 can be provided by two separate triplexers toprovide improved performance.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a variation of the front-end architecture ofFIG. 4, in which losses can be reduced.

FIG. 6 shows an example front-end architecture in which an antenna swapswitch is cascaded with a diplexer configured to support a mid-band (MB)and a high-band (HB), where the high-band has a large frequency range.

FIG. 7 shows an example front-end architecture in which the diplexerfunctionality of FIG. 6 can be provided by two separate diplexers toprovide improved performance.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a variation of the front-end architecture ofFIG. 7, in which losses can be reduced.

FIG. 9 shows an example front-end architecture in which the triplexerfunctionality of FIG. 3 can be provided by a quadplexer to provideimproved performance.

FIG. 10 shows that in some embodiments, some or all of a front-endarchitecture having one or more features as described herein can beimplemented in a packaged module.

FIG. 11 depicts a wireless device having one or more features asdescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The headings provided herein, if any, are for convenience only and donot necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a multiplexing architecture 100 having one or morefeatures as described herein. For the purpose of description, it will beunderstood that multiplexing, multiplex, multiplexer, etc. can includediplexing, diplex, diplexer, etc., triplexing, triplex, triplexer, etc.,quadplexing, quadplex, quadplexer, etc., respectively, or anycombination thereof.

FIG. 2 shows that in some embodiments, the multiplexing architecture 100of FIG. 1 can be implemented in a front-end 102 of a wireless device orsystem. More particularly, in FIG. 2, a front-end 102 of a wirelessdevice is depicted as supporting multiple antennas 108 a, 108 b, 108 cfor receive (Rx) operations and/or transmit (Tx) operations. Suchreceive operations can be achieved with a receiver circuit 104, and suchtransmit operations can be achieved with a transmitter circuit 106. Forthe purpose of description, it will be understood that the receivercircuit 104 may be considered to be at least partially within thefront-end 102, external to the front-end 102, or any combinationthereof. Similarly, the transmitter circuit 106 may be considered to beat least partially within the front-end 102, external to the front-end102, or any combination thereof.

In the example of FIG. 2, the wireless device is depicted as includingthree antennas. It will be understood that one or more feature of thepresent disclosure can be implemented with more or less number ofantennas. Thus, for the purpose of description, it will be understoodthat multiple antennas can include two or more antennas.

It is noted that conventional advanced front-ends with strongrequirements for carrier aggregation (CA) often rely on some or all ofthe following techniques to combine frequency bands onto the sameradio-frequency (RF) signal trace for a shared antenna feed: (1) gangedfilters that are permanently connected together with a common sharedconnection point; (2) switch-combined filters that are electricallyconnected together through simultaneous active throws of a switch to ashared connection point; (3) diplexers/triplexers that combine frequencyranges to a common connection point, and (4) multiple antennas thatenable separate bands to be radiatively transmitted/received withseparate antennas and combined in the far field.

With respect to the first technique (1) mentioned above, it is notedthat the ganged N-plexing of filters such as acoustic filters typicallysuffers from the inflexibility of the restrictive and permanentcombinations of specific bands that cannot be readily updated toaccommodate new combinations if required or desired. It is further notedthat such a configuration cannot support multiple overlapping bandcombinations without filter duplication, and the single band operationis impacted because the ganged configuration of many filters typicallyincreases insertion loss through the loading incurred from the manyfilters sharing the same loading connection point.

With respect to the second technique (2) mentioned above, it is notedthat switch-combined filters typically require dedicated filter designattention, and is also typically restrictive in support of specific bandcombinations. Such a technique, however, typically enables single bandoperation to avoid loading loss and achieve higher performance than ifall the filters are permanently ganged.

With respect to the fourth technique (4) mentioned above, it is notedthat radiation from multiple antennas is typically not practical if itis required that all antennas support active simultaneous bands infeatures such as 4×4 downlink (DL) multiple-input and multiple-output(MIMO), where all 4 antennas in a 4-antenna wireless device (e.g.,cellular phone) would need to simultaneously support mid-band andhigh-band combinations.

The diplex/triplex approach (3) mentioned above can be often flexible inthat it can enable a mid-band to be combined with a high-band. However,such an approach can incur a significant overall loss if thearchitecture is designed with many series cascades of multiple switchesand diplexers. Also a single triplexer approach can incur a significantinsertion loss, because of the constraint of many bands that are closein frequency. Further, such a single triplexer approach can encounterdifficulty in filtering with respect to a common connection point.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the foregoing diplex/triplex approach, inwhich a front-end architecture 10 relies on a single triplexer 11configured to support high-band (HB), mid-band (MB), and low-band (LB).In the example of FIG. 3, the triplexer 11 needs to support the entireexample frequency range of 2300 MHz-2690 MHz of the high-band, and sucha high-band is only separated from the upper end of the example mid-bandfrequency range (1710 MHz-2200 MHz) by a 100 MHz gap. Accordingly, theexample architecture of FIG. 3 can have significant insertion loss atthe band edges where adjacent band edges are closest or sufficientlynear to each other.

In the example of FIG. 3, multiple antennas are provided to supportcarrier aggregation (CA) and/or MIMO operations. For example, uplink(UL) carrier aggregation (CA) (ULCA) can be achieved with an ULCA block20 and an antenna 108 a, through an antenna path 40 (from an outputULCA_OUT of the ULCA block 20 to the antenna 108 a). In someembodiments, the antenna 108 a can also be utilized as a diversityantenna. Thus, in the example of FIG. 3, the antenna 108 a is indicatedas ULCA Ant/Div Ant.

Referring to FIG. 3, in another example, MIMO receive operations can beachieved in mid-band and high-band with a MIMO block 22 and an antenna108 b, through an antenna path 42 (between the antenna 108 b and a nodeMIMO_ANT of the MIMO block 22). In some embodiments, the antenna 108 bcan be one of a plurality of primary antennas. Thus, in the example ofFIG. 3, the antenna 108 b is indicated as Primary MB/HB Ant (ANT1).

Referring to FIG. 3, in another example, the triplexing front-endarchitecture 10 can be utilized to support various transmit and/orreceive operations, including carrier aggregation and non-carrieraggregation operations and/or MIMO operations, for low, mid andhigh-bands. The low-band operations can be achieved with, for example, alow-band (LB) power amplifier module integrated duplexer (PAMiD) block28 configured to support a plurality of low-band frequency bands fortransmission through a signal node LB. In some embodiments, the LB block28 can support receive operations with its duplexer functionality. Insome embodiments, the LB block 28 can include a switch 29 having a polecoupled to the signal node LB and N throws (e.g., N=11), to support theplurality of low-band frequency bands.

Referring to FIG. 3, the mid-band operations can be achieved with, forexample, a mid-band (MB) power amplifier module integrated duplexer(PAMiD) block 26 configured to support a plurality of mid-band frequencybands for transmission through a signal node MB. In some embodiments,the MB block 26 can support receive operations with its duplexerfunctionality. In some embodiments, the MB block 26 can include a switch27 having a pole coupled to the signal node MB and N throws (e.g., N=7),to support the plurality of mid-band frequency bands.

Referring to FIG. 3, the high-band operations can be achieved with, forexample, a high-band (HB) power amplifier module integrated duplexer(PAMiD) block 24 configured to support a plurality of high-bandfrequency bands for transmission through a signal node HB. In someembodiments, the HB block 24 can support receive operations with itsduplexer functionality. In some embodiments, the HB block 24 can includea switch 25 having a pole coupled to the signal node HB and N throws(e.g., N=6), to support the plurality of high-band frequency bands.

Examples related to some or all of the foregoing ULCA block 20, MIMO Rxblock 22, HB PAMiD block 24, MB PAMiD block 26, and LB PAMiD block 28can be found in U.S. Publication No. 2018/0019768 titled UPLINK CARRIERAGGREGATION FRONT-END ARCHITECTURE THAT SUPPORTS SIMULTANEOUS MIMO,which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirely, and itsdisclosure is to be considered part of the specification of the presentapplication.

Referring to FIG. 3, the triplexing front-end architecture 10 includes atriplexer 11 having a low-band filter (LB), a mid-band filter (MB), anda high-band filter (HB). The triplexer 11 is shown to have a commonconnection node on the antenna side, and each of the low, mid andhigh-band filters is shown to have a respective connection node on theother side. Thus, the connection node of the low-band filter is shown tobe coupled to the signal node (LB) of the low-band PAMiD block 28,through a signal path 15 and a corresponding node LB_IN. Similarly, theconnection node of the mid-band filter is shown to be coupled to thesignal node (MB) of the mid-band PAMiD block 26, through a signal path14 and a corresponding node MB_IN. Similarly, the connection node of thehigh-band filter is shown to be coupled to the signal node (HB) of thehigh-band PAMiD block 24, through a signal path 13 and a correspondingnode HB_IN.

Referring to FIG. 3, the common connection node of the triplexer 11 isshown to be connectable to the antenna 108 c (ANT0) through a switch 12,a signal node ANT0_OUT, and a signal path 44. In the example of FIG. 3,the switch 12 can include a double-pole-double-throw (DP2T)functionality to foregoing connectivity between the common connectionnode of the triplexer 11 and the antenna 108 c, or to provide an antennaswap functionality through signal paths 17, 18 and respective signalnodes AUX_IN, AUX_OUT. In some embodiments, such an antenna swapfunctionality can involve cross-user-equipment cables 32, 34(collectively indicated as 30) and a diversity receive (DRx) block and acorresponding antenna. Examples related to such antenna swapfunctionality can be found in, for example, U.S. Publication No.2016/0365908 titled ANTENNA SWAP ARCHITECTURES FOR TIME-DIVISIONDUPLEXING COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, which is expressly incorporated byreference in its entirely, and its disclosure is to be considered partof the specification of the present application.

Referring to FIG. 3, some or all of the triplexing front-endarchitecture 10 can be controlled by a controller. For example, a mobileindustry processor interface (MIPI) based controller 16 can be providedto control the switch 12. Such a controller can provide its controlfunctionality based on, for example, I/O voltage (VIO), clock signal(CLK), control input (DATA), and supply voltage (VBATT).

In the example of FIG. 3, the triplexing front-end architecture 10 isshown to be supported by the antenna 108 c. Such an antenna can be aprimary antenna configured to support transmit and/or receive operationsin low, mid/low, mid, and high-bands. Thus, the antenna 108 c isindicated as Primary LB/MLB/MB/HB Ant (ANT0).

As mentioned above, the high-band filter of the triplexer 11 of FIG. 3is configured to support a relatively wide frequency range (e.g., 2300MHz-2690 MHz). In such an example frequency range, the high-band filterof the triplexer 11 can support cellular bands B30, B40, B41 and B7. Asalso described herein, such a wide frequency range can result indegradation of performance.

Multiplexing Architecture Having Split Triplexers:

FIG. 4 shows that in some embodiments, a multiplexing architecture 100can be configured such that the single triplexer 11 of FIG. 3 is splitinto two separate optimized or appropriately-configured triplexers. Forexample, a first triplexer 111 can be configured for low-band (LB)operation (e.g., 698-960 MHz), mid-band (MB) operation (e.g., 1710-2200MHz), and first high-band (HB1) operation (e.g., 2496-2690 MHz); and asecond triplexer 112 can be configured for low-band (LB) (e.g., 698-960MHz), mid-band (MB) operation (e.g., 1710-2200 MHz), and secondhigh-band (HB2) operation (e.g., 2300-2400 MHz). In some embodiments,the second triplexer can be based on a combination of bandpass andbandstop filters for the mid-band and high-band in order to optimizeinsertion loss performance.

As described herein, the high-band filter of the triplexer 11 of FIG. 3is configured to support a relatively wide frequency range (e.g., 2300MHz-2690 MHz), thereby supporting cellular bands B30, B40, B41 and B7.In the example of FIG. 4, the first high-band filter HB1 of the firsttriplexer 111 can support cellular bands B41 and B7; and the secondhigh-band filter HB2 of the second triplexer 112 can support cellularbands B40 and B30.

In the example of FIG. 4, multiple antennas are provided to supportcarrier aggregation (CA) and/or MIMO operations. For example, uplink(UL) carrier aggregation (CA) (ULCA) can be achieved with an ULCA block120 and an antenna 108 a, through an antenna path 140 (from an outputULCA_OUT of the ULCA block 120 to the antenna 108 a). In someembodiments, such an uplink carrier aggregation configuration can besimilar to the corresponding example of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, in another example, MIMO receive operations can beachieved in mid-band and high-band with a MIMO block 122 and either orboth of antennas 108 b and 108 c. If the antenna 108 b is used, signalscan be routed from the antenna 108 b to the MIMO block 122 through anantenna path 154, an antenna node ANT1_OUT, a signal path 230 of themultiplexing architecture 100, a switch 114, a signal path 200 of themultiplexing architecture 100, a signal node ANT_AUX, and a signal path150. If the antenna 108 c is used, signals can be routed from theantenna 108 c to the MIMO block 122 through an antenna path 152, anantenna node ANT0_OUT, a signal path 228 of the multiplexingarchitecture 100, the switch 114, the signal path 200 of themultiplexing architecture 100, the signal node ANT_AUX, and the signalpath 150. In some embodiments, the antennas 108 b and 108 c can besimilar to the respective antennas of the example of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, in another example, the front-end architecture 100can be utilized to support various transmit and/or receive operations,including carrier aggregation and non-carrier aggregation operationsand/or MIMO operations, for low, mid and high-bands. The low-bandoperations can be achieved with, for example, a low-band (LB) poweramplifier module integrated duplexer (PAMiD) block 128 configured tosupport a plurality of low-band frequency bands for transmission througha signal node LB. In some embodiments, the LB block 128 can supportreceive operations with its duplexer functionality. In some embodiments,the LB block 128 can include a switch 129 having a pole coupled to thesignal node LB and N throws (e.g., N=11), to support the plurality oflow-band frequency bands.

Referring to FIG. 4, the mid-band operations can be achieved with, forexample, a mid-band (MB) power amplifier module integrated duplexer(PAMiD) block 126 configured to support a plurality of mid-bandfrequency bands for transmission through a signal node MB. In someembodiments, the MB block 126 can support receive operations with itsduplexer functionality. In some embodiments, the MB block 126 caninclude a switch 127 having a pole coupled to the signal node MB and Nthrows (e.g., N=7), to support the plurality of mid-band frequencybands.

Referring to FIG. 4, the high-band operations can be achieved with, forexample, a high-band (HB) power amplifier module integrated duplexer(PAMiD) block 124 configured to support a plurality of high-bandfrequency bands for transmission through a signal node HB. In someembodiments, the HB block 124 can support receive operations with itsduplexer functionality. In some embodiments, the HB block 124 caninclude a switch 125 having a pole coupled to the signal node HB and Nthrows (e.g., N=6), to support the plurality of high-band frequencybands.

In some embodiments, the foregoing blocks 122, 124, 126 and 128 can besimilar to the corresponding blocks 22, 24, 26 and 28 of the example ofFIG. 3. Thus, examples related to some or all of the foregoing ULCAblock 120, MIMO Rx block 122, HB PAMiD block 124, MB PAMiD block 126,and LB PAMiD block 128 can be found in the above-mentioned U.S.Publication No. 2018/0019768.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first triplexer 111 is shown to have a commonconnection node on the antenna side, and each of the low, mid andhigh-band (HB1) filters is shown to have a respective connection node onthe other side. Similarly, the second triplexer 112 is shown to have acommon connection node on the antenna side, and each of the low, mid andhigh-band (HB2) filters is shown to have a respective connection node onthe other side.

For low-band operations, the LB PAMiD block 128 can be coupled to thelow-band filter of the first triplexer 111, or to the low-band filter ofthe second triplexer 112. For the former configuration, the signal node(LB) of the LB PAMiD block 128 is shown to be coupled to a pole of aswitch 164 (e.g., SP2T) through a node LB_IN, and the pole can beconnected to a first throw which is coupled (through a signal path 214)to the connection node of the low-band filter of the first triplexer111. For the latter configuration, the pole of the switch 164 can beconnected to a second throw which is coupled (through a signal path 216)to the connection node of the low-band filter of the second triplexer112.

For mid-band operations, the MB PAMiD block 126 can be coupled to themid-band filter of the first triplexer 111, to the mid-band filter ofthe second triplexer 112, or to an antenna bypassing the triplexers 111,112. For the first configuration, the signal node (MB) of the MB PAMiDblock 126 is shown to be coupled to a pole of a switch 162 (e.g., SP3T)through a node MB_IN, and the pole can be connected to a first throwwhich is coupled (through a signal path 208) to the connection node ofthe mid-band filter of the first triplexer 111. For the secondconfiguration, the pole of the switch 162 can be connected to a secondthrow which is coupled (through a signal path 210) to the connectionnode of the mid-band filter of the second triplexer 112. For the thirdconfiguration, the pole of the switch 162 can be connected to a thirdthrow which is coupled (through a signal path 212) to the switch 114while bypassing the first and second triplexers 111, 112.

For high-band operations, the HB PAMiD block 124 can be coupled to thefirst high-band filter (HB1) of the first triplexer 111, to the secondhigh-band filter (HB2) of the second triplexer 112, or to an antennabypassing the triplexers 111, 112. For the first configuration, thesignal node (HB) of the HB PAMiD block 124 is shown to be coupled to apole of a switch 160 (e.g., SP3T) through a node HB_IN, and the pole canbe connected to a second throw which is coupled (through a signal path204) to the connection node of the first high-band filter (HB1) of thefirst triplexer 111. For the second configuration, the pole of theswitch 160 can be connected to a third throw which is coupled (through asignal path 206) to the connection node of the second high-band filter(HB2) of the second triplexer 112. For the third configuration, the poleof the switch 160 can be connected to a first throw which is coupled(through a signal path 202) to the switch 114 while bypassing the firstand second triplexers 111, 112.

Referring to FIG. 4, the common connection node of the first triplexer111 is shown to be connectable to either or both of the antennas 108 b(ANT1) and 108 c (ANT0) through the switch 114. For the antenna 108 b,such a connection can be made through a first pole of the switch 114, asignal path 230, a signal node ANT1_OUT, and an antenna path 154. Forthe antenna 108 c, such a connection can be made through a second poleof the switch 114, a signal path 228, a signal node ANT0_OUT, and anantenna path 152.

In the example of FIG. 4, the switch 114 can include a 3-pole-6-throw(3P6T) functionality. As described above, the first and second poles canbe coupled to the antennas 108 b, 108 c. One of the six throws and athird pole of the switch 114 can be utilized to provide an antenna swapfunctionality through signal paths 224, 226 and respective signal nodesAUX_IN, AUX_OUT. In some embodiments, such an antenna swap functionalitycan involve cross-user-equipment cables 132, 134 (collectively indicatedas 130) and a diversity receive (DRx) block and a corresponding antenna,similar to the example of FIG. 3. Thus, examples related to such antennaswap functionality can be found in the above-mentioned U.S. PublicationNo. 2016/0365908.

Referring to FIG. 4, the remaining five of the six throws of the switch114 can be coupled to the above-described signal path 200 associatedwith the MIMO Rx block 122, the above-described bypass path 202associated with the HB PAMiD block 124, a signal path 220 associatedwith the common connection node of the first triplexer 111, a signalpath 222 associated with the common connection node of the secondtriplexer 112, and the above-described bypass path 212 associated withthe MB PAMiD block 126.

Referring to FIG. 4, some or all of the multiplexing architecture 100can be controlled by a controller. For example, a mobile industryprocessor interface (MIPI) based controller 116 can be provided tocontrol the switches 160, 162, 164 and 114. Such a controller canprovide its control functionality based on, for example, I/O voltage(VIO), clock signal (CLK), control input (DATA), and supply voltage(VBATT).

In the example of FIG. 4, the multiplexing architecture 100 is shown tobe supported by the antennas 108 b and 108 c. In some embodiments, suchantennas can be similar to the corresponding antennas of the example ofFIG. 3.

As mentioned above, the first high-band filter (HB1) of the firsttriplexer 111 of FIG. 4 is configured to support a frequency range thatis smaller than the high-band frequency range of the single triplexer 11of FIG. 3. Similarly, the second high-band filter (HB2) of the secondtriplexer 112 of FIG. 4 is configured to support another frequency rangethat is also smaller than the high-band frequency range of the singletriplexer 11 of FIG. 3. In such example frequency ranges, the firsthigh-band filter (HB1) of the first triplexer 111 can support cellularbands B41 and B7; and the second high-band filter (HB2) of the secondtriplexer 112 can support cellular bands B30 and B40. As also describedherein, such narrower frequency ranges associated with split triplexerscan result in improvement of performance.

In the example architecture of FIG. 3, the antenna swap switch assembly(12) is required to connect to different antennas if loading conditionsmake one antenna less favorable for transmission. In some embodiments,such a switch assembly can be configured to enable connection of morethan one triplexer in a multiplexing architecture such as in the exampleof FIG. 4. The additional pole(s) and/or throw(s) implemented on such aswitch that is already dedicated in the architecture does not havesignificant impact on performance.

FIG. 5 shows that in some embodiments, a front-end architecture can befurther optimized to reduce switch losses by providing more outputs fromthe PAiD blocks (e.g., some or all of the LB, MB and HB PAiD blocks 128,126, 124). Such increased number of outputs can be achieved by providingappropriate switches in respective blocks. Such increased number ofoutputs in the PAiD blocks can allow elimination or reduction of thefilter/bypass selection switches inside the triplexing architecture 100.In such a configuration, overall switch losses can be significantlyreduced.

In the example of FIG. 5 the ULCA block 120, the MIMO Rx block 122, thefirst and second triplexers 111, 112, and the signal routingconfiguration on the antenna side can be similar to the respectiveexamples of FIG. 4. In the example of FIG. 5, however, the filter/bypassselection switches (160, 162, 164) are absent in the multiplexingarchitecture 100. Instead, functionalities associated with suchselection switches can be implemented in switches associated with thePAiD blocks (124, 126, 128).

For example, the HB PAMiD block 124 can include first and secondswitches 170 a, 170 b, with each including two poles and multiplethrows. The first switch 170 a can be utilized to route signals to thefirst high-band filter (HB1) of the first triplexer 111, or to routesignals to a bypass path. Similarly, the second switch 170 b can beutilized to route signals to the second high-band filter (HB2) of thesecond triplexer 112, or to route signals to a bypass path.

More particularly, one of the two poles of the first switch 170 a can becoupled to the first high-band filter (HB1) of the first triplexer 111,through a signal node HB1 of the HB PAMiD block 124, a signal nodeHB1_IN of the multiplexing architecture 100, and a signal path 234.Similarly, one of the two poles of the second switch 170 b can becoupled to the second high-band filter (HB2) of the second triplexer112, through a signal node HB2 of the HB PAMiD block 124, a signal nodeHB2_IN of the multiplexing architecture 100, and a signal path 236. Theother pole of the first switch 170 a and the other pole of the secondswitch 170 b can be connected together to provide a bypass path to theswitch 114, through a signal node HBbp, through a signal node HBbp_IN ofthe multiplexing architecture 100, and a signal path 232.

Referring to FIG. 5, for mid-band operations, the MB PAMiD block 126 caninclude a switch 172 having three poles and multiple throws. The firstand second poles can be utilized to route signals to the mid-bandfilters of the respective triplexers 111, 112; and the third pole can beutilized to route signals to a bypass path.

More particularly, the first pole of the switch 172 can be coupled tothe mid-band filter of the first triplexer 111, through a signal nodeMB1 of the MB PAMiD block 126, a signal node MB1_IN of the multiplexingarchitecture 100, and a signal path 238. Similarly, the second pole ofthe switch 172 can be coupled to the mid-band filter of the secondtriplexer 112, through a signal node MB2 of the MB PAMiD block 126, asignal node MB2_IN of the multiplexing architecture 100, and a signalpath 240. The third pole of the switch 172 can be coupled to a bypasspath 242 and to the switch 114, through a signal node MBbp, and a signalnode MBbp_IN of the multiplexing architecture 100.

Referring to FIG. 5, for low-band operations, the LB PAMiD block 128 caninclude a switch 174 having two poles and multiple throws. The first andsecond poles can be utilized to route signals to the low-band filters ofthe respective triplexers 111, 112.

More particularly, the first pole of the switch 174 can be coupled tothe low-band filter of the first triplexer 111, through a signal nodeLB1 of the LB PAMiD block 128, a signal node LB1_IN of the multiplexingarchitecture 100, and a signal path 244. Similarly, the second pole ofthe switch 174 can be coupled to the low-band filter of the secondtriplexer 112, through a signal node LB2 of the LB PAMiD block 128, asignal node LB2_IN of the multiplexing architecture 100, and a signalpath 246.

As described herein, the present disclosure can include a multiplexingarchitecture that can be configured to support all MB/HB carrieraggregation (CA) along with simultaneous MIMO in MB and HB. As alsodescribed herein, such a multiplexing architecture can be achieved by,for example, splitting a conventional triplexer (e.g., LB: 700-960 MHz,MB: 1452-2200 MHz, HB: 2300-2690 MHz) into two optimized triplexers. Thefirst triplexer can be configured to support, for example, B41/B7 bandswith LB: 700-960 MHz, MB: 1710-2200 MHz, and HB1: 2496-2690 MHz. Thesecond triplexer can be configured to support, for example, B40/B30bands with LB: 700-960 MHz, MB: 1710-2200 MHz, and HB2: 2300-2400 MHz.As described herein, each of such two triplexers can have lower lossthan the conventional triplexer, especially for close MB/HBcombinations.

In some embodiments, and as described herein, a multiplexingarchitecture having one or more features as described herein can includea bypass architecture configured to allow single band operation(s), aswell as to allow switch-combined or ganged combinations of filters to bedirectly connected to the antenna with low loss.

In some embodiments, and as shown in the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, anantenna swap functionality can be enabled for some or all merged bandsby utilizing, for example, a 3P6T switch (114 in FIGS. 4 and 5).

It is noted that in some implementations of the PAiDs (e.g., a lowercost implementation), a single output can be provided for a given PAiD,and such a single connection can be provided to a multiplexingarchitecture having the split triplexers, such as in the example of FIG.4. In some embodiments, additional switches (e.g., switches 160, 162,164 in FIG. 4) can be implemented to manage such a single input of themultiplexing architecture, and provide multiple routes to the triplexersand the bypass paths.

In some embodiments, all of the transmit (Tx) signals from respectivePAiDs can be enabled to be connected to a single antenna. Suchfunctionality can be desirable if, for example, the antennaimplementation requires such a feature.

Multiplexing Architecture Having Split Diplexers:

As described herein, the example front-end architecture of FIG. 3 relieson a single triplexer that supports the entire example high-band rangeof 2300 MHz-2690 MHz, and such a frequency range is only separated fromthe upper end of the example mid-band frequency range (1710 MHz-2200MHz) by a 100 MHz gap. Accordingly, the example architecture of FIG. 3can have significant insertion loss at or near the band edges whereadjacent band edges are closest or sufficiently near to each other.

FIG. 6 shows an example multiplexing architecture 50 in which an antennaswap switch is cascaded with a diplexer. More particularly, a mid-band(MB)/high-band (HB) diplexer 51 capable of supporting carrieraggregation (CA) is followed by an antenna swap switch 53, and then adiplexer 52 which, among others, can properly filter low-band (LB)harmonics. In FIG. 6, such a low-band related diplexer (52) is shown tohave a MB/HB filter and a LB filter.

In the example of FIG. 6, multiple antennas are provided to supportcarrier aggregation (CA) and/or MIMO operations. For example, uplink(UL) carrier aggregation (CA) (ULCA) can be achieved with an ULCA block20 and an antenna 108 a, through an antenna path 40 (from an outputULCA_OUT of the ULCA block 20 to the antenna 108 a). In someembodiments, the antenna 108 a can also be utilized as a diversityantenna. Thus, in the example of FIG. 6, the antenna 108 a is indicatedas ULCA Ant/Div Ant, similar to the example of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 6, in another example, MIMO receive operations can beachieved in mid-band and high-band with a MIMO block 22 and an antenna108 b, through an antenna path 42 (between the antenna 108 b and a nodeMIMO_ANT of the MIMO block 22). In some embodiments, the antenna 108 bcan be one of a plurality of primary antennas. Thus, in the example ofFIG. 6, the antenna 108 b is indicated as Primary MB/HB Ant (ANT1),similar to the example of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 6, in another example, the multiplexing architecture50 can be utilized to support various transmit and/or receiveoperations, including carrier aggregation and non-carrier aggregationoperations and/or MIMO operations, for low, mid and high-bands. Thelow-band operations can be achieved with, for example, a low-band (LB)power amplifier module integrated duplexer (PAMiD) block 28 configuredto support a plurality of low-band frequency bands for transmissionthrough a signal node LB. In some embodiments, the LB block 28 cansupport receive operations with its duplexer functionality. In someembodiments, the LB block 28 can include a switch 29 having a polecoupled to the signal node LB and N throws (e.g., N=11), to support theplurality of low-band frequency bands.

Referring to FIG. 6, the mid-band operations can be achieved with, forexample, a mid-band (MB) power amplifier module integrated duplexer(PAMiD) block 26 configured to support a plurality of mid-band frequencybands for transmission through a signal node MB. In some embodiments,the MB block 26 can support receive operations with its duplexerfunctionality. In some embodiments, the MB block 26 can include a switch27 having a pole coupled to the signal node MB and N throws (e.g., N=7),to support the plurality of mid-band frequency bands.

Referring to FIG. 6, the high-band operations can be achieved with, forexample, a high-band (HB) power amplifier module integrated duplexer(PAMiD) block 24 configured to support a plurality of high-bandfrequency bands for transmission through a signal node HB. In someembodiments, the HB block 24 can support receive operations with itsduplexer functionality. In some embodiments, the HB block 24 can includea switch 25 having a pole coupled to the signal node HB and N throws(e.g., N=6), to support the plurality of high-band frequency bands.

In some embodiments, the blocks 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 can be similar tothe corresponding blocks of FIG. 3. Thus, examples related to some orall of the foregoing ULCA block 20, MIMO Rx block 22, HB PAMiD block 24,MB PAMiD block 26, and LB PAMiD block 28 can be found in theabove-referenced U.S. Publication No. 2018/0019768.

Referring to FIG. 6, the multiplexing architecture 50 includes adiplexer 51 having a mid-band filter (MB) and a high-band filter (HB).The diplexer 51 is shown to have a common connection node on the antennaside, and each of the mid and high-band filters is shown to have arespective connection node on the other side. Thus, the connection nodeof the mid-band filter is shown to be coupled to the signal node (MB) ofthe mid-band PAMiD block 26, through a signal path 61 and acorresponding node MB_IN. Similarly, the connection node of thehigh-band filter is shown to be coupled to the signal node (HB) of thehigh-band PAMiD block 24, through a signal path 60 and a correspondingnode HB_IN.

Referring to FIG. 6, the common connection node of the diplexer 51 isshown to be connectable to the antenna 108 c (ANT0) through a signalpath 68, the switch 53, a signal path 69, the MB/HB filter of thediplexer 52, a common connection node of the diplexer 52, a signal path70, a signal node ANT0_OUT, and an antenna path 44. In the example ofFIG. 6, the switch 53 can include a double-pole-double-throw (DP2T)functionality to provide the foregoing connectivity between the commonconnection node of the diplexer 51 and the antenna 108 c, or to providean antenna swap functionality through signal paths 66, 67 and respectivesignal nodes AUX_IN, AUX_OUT. In some embodiments, such an antenna swapfunctionality can involve cross-user-equipment cables 56 a, 57 a(collectively indicated as 55 a) and a diversity receive (DRx) block anda corresponding antenna. Examples related to such antenna swapfunctionality can be found in, for example, the above-referenced U.S.Publication No. 2016/0365908.

Referring to FIG. 6, the low-band operations can be achieved with, forexample, a low-band (LB) power amplifier module integrated duplexer(PAMiD) block 28 configured to support a plurality of low-band frequencybands for transmission through a signal node LB. In some embodiments,the LB block 28 can support receive operations with its duplexerfunctionality. In some embodiments, the LB block 28 can include a switch29 having a pole coupled to the signal node LB and N throws (e.g.,N=11), to support the plurality of low-band frequency bands.

Referring to FIG. 6, the signal node LB of the LB block 28 is shown tobe connectable to the antenna 108 c, through a signal node LB_IN of themultiplexing architecture 50, a signal path 62, a switch 54, a signalpath 65, the LB filter of the diplexer 52, the common connection node ofthe diplexer 52, the signal path 70, the signal node ANT0_OUT, and theantenna path 44. In the example of FIG. 6, the switch 54 can include adouble-pole-double-throw (DP2T) functionality to provide the foregoingconnectivity between the LB block 28 and the antenna 108 c, or toprovide an antenna swap functionality through signal paths 63, 64 andrespective signal nodes AUX_IN, AUX_OUT. In some embodiments, such anantenna swap functionality can involve cross-user-equipment cables 56 b,57 b (collectively indicated as 55 b) and a diversity receive (DRx)block and a corresponding antenna. Examples related to such antenna swapfunctionality can be found in, for example, the above-referenced U.S.Publication No. 2016/0365908.

Referring to FIG. 3, some or all of the multiplexing architecture 50 canbe controlled by a controller. For example, a mobile industry processorinterface (MIPI) based controller 16 can be provided to control theswitches 53 and 54. Such a controller can provide its controlfunctionality based on, for example, I/O voltage (VIO), clock signal(CLK), control input (DATA), and supply voltage (VBATT).

In the example of FIG. 6, the multiplexing architecture 50 is shown tobe supported by the antenna 108 c. Such an antenna can be a primaryantenna configured to support transmit and/or receive operations in low,mid/low, mid, and high-bands. Thus, the antenna 108 c is indicated asPrimary LB/MLB/MB/HB Ant (ANT0), similar to the example of FIG. 3.

Similar to the example of FIG. 3, the high-band filter of the diplexer51 of FIG. 6 is configured to support a relatively wide frequency range(e.g., 2300 MHz-2690 MHz). In such an example frequency range, thehigh-band filter of the diplexer 51 can support cellular bands B30, B40,B41 and B7. As also described herein, such a wide frequency range canresult in degradation of performance.

It is also noted that in the example of FIG. 6, loss can occur in theseries cascade of the diplexers 51 and 52. Such an overalldiplexer-related loss is in general greater than a loss associated witha single stage diplexer.

FIG. 7 shows that in some embodiments, a multiplexing architecture 100can be configured such that the wide band supporting high-band filter ofthe single triplexer 11 of FIG. 3 and/or the diplexer 51 of FIG. 6 issplit into two separate optimized or appropriately-configured diplexers.For example, a first diplexer 181 can be configured for mid-band (MB)operations (e.g., 1710-2200 MHz, and first high-band (HB1) operations(e.g., 2496-2690 MHz), and a second diplexer 182 can be configured formid-band (MB) operations (e.g., 1710-2200 MHz) and second high-band(HB2) operations (e.g., 2300-2400 MHz). In some embodiments, the seconddiplexer 182 can be based on a combination of bandpass and bandstopfilters for the mid-band and high-band in order to optimize insertionloss performance.

In the example of FIG. 7, multiple antennas are provided to supportcarrier aggregation (CA) and/or MIMO operations. For example, uplink(UL) carrier aggregation (CA) (ULCA) can be achieved with an ULCA block120 and an antenna 108 a, through an antenna path 140 (from an outputULCA_OUT of the ULCA block 120 to the antenna 108 a). In someembodiments, such an uplink carrier aggregation configuration can besimilar to the corresponding example of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 7, in another example, MIMO receive operations can beachieved in mid-band and high-band with a MIMO block 122 and an antenna108 c. More particularly, signals can be routed from the antenna 108 cto the MIMO block 122 through an antenna path 152, an antenna nodeANT0_OUT, a signal path 270 of the multiplexing architecture 100, aMB/HB/UHB filter of a duplexer 183, a signal path 262, a signal nodeMIMO_IN, and a signal node MIMO_ANT of the MIMO block 122. In someembodiments, the antenna 108 c can be similar to the antenna 108 c ofthe example of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 7, in another example, the front-end architecture 100can be utilized to support various transmit and/or receive operations,including carrier aggregation and non-carrier aggregation operationsand/or MIMO operations, for low, mid and high-bands. The low-bandoperations can be achieved with, for example, a low-band (LB) poweramplifier module integrated duplexer (PAMiD) block 128 configured tosupport a plurality of low-band frequency bands for transmission througha signal node LB. In some embodiments, the LB block 128 can supportreceive operations with its duplexer functionality. In some embodiments,the LB block 128 can include a switch 199 having two poles and N throws(e.g., N=12), to support the plurality of low-band frequency bands. Oneof such throws can be coupled to a signal node LB_DRx.

In the example of FIG. 7, the first pole of the switch 199 can becoupled to a first signal node LB1, and the second pole of the switch199 can be coupled to a second signal node LB2. The first signal nodeLB1 is shown to be coupled to the antenna 108 c through a signal nodeLB_IN of the multiplexing architecture 100, a signal path 264, a LBfilter of the duplexer 183, the signal path 270, the signal nodeANT0_OUT, and the antenna path 152.

In the example of FIG. 7, the signal nodes LB_DRx and LB2 coupled to therespective throw and pole of the switch 199 can be utilized to providean antenna swap functionality through cross-user-equipment cables 132 b,134 b (collectively indicated as 130 b) and a diversity receive (DRx)block and a corresponding antenna. Examples related to such antenna swapfunctionality can be found in, for example, the above-referenced U.S.Publication No. 2016/0365908.

Referring to FIG. 7, the mid-band operations can be achieved with, forexample, a mid-band (MB) power amplifier module integrated duplexer(PAMiD) block 126 configured to support a plurality of mid-bandfrequency bands for transmission through a signal node MB. In someembodiments, the MB block 126 can support receive operations with itsduplexer functionality. In some embodiments, the MB block 126 caninclude a switch 197 having a pole coupled to the signal node MB and Nthrows (e.g., N=7), to support the plurality of mid-band frequencybands.

Referring to FIG. 7, the high-band operations can be achieved with, forexample, a high-band (HB) power amplifier module integrated duplexer(PAMiD) block 124 configured to support a plurality of high-bandfrequency bands for transmission through a signal node HB. In someembodiments, the HB block 124 can support receive operations with itsduplexer functionality. In some embodiments, the HB block 124 caninclude a switch 195 having a pole coupled to the signal node HB and Nthrows (e.g., N=6), to support the plurality of high-band frequencybands.

In some embodiments, the foregoing blocks 122, 124, 126 and 128 can besimilar to the corresponding blocks 22, 24, 26 and 28 of the example ofFIG. 3. Thus, examples related to some or all of the foregoing ULCAblock 120, MIMO Rx block 122, HB PAMiD block 124, MB PAMiD block 126,and LB PAMiD block 128 can be found in the above-mentioned U.S.Publication No. 2018/0019768.

Referring to FIG. 7, the first diplexer 181 is shown to have a commonconnection node on the antenna side, and each of the mid and high-band(HB1) filters is shown to have a respective connection node on the otherside. Similarly, the second diplexer 182 is shown to have a commonconnection node on the antenna side, and each of the mid and high-band(HB2) filters is shown to have a respective connection node on the otherside.

For mid-band operations, the MB PAMiD block 126 can be coupled to themid-band filter of the first diplexer 181, to the mid-band filter of thesecond diplexer 182, or to an antenna bypassing the diplexers 181, 182.For the first configuration, the signal node (MB) of the MB PAMiD block126 is shown to be coupled to a pole of a switch 192 (e.g., SP3T)through a node MB_IN, and the pole can be connected to a first throwwhich is coupled (through a signal path 256) to the connection node ofthe mid-band filter of the first diplexer 111. For the secondconfiguration, the pole of the switch 192 can be connected to a secondthrow which is coupled (through a signal path 258) to the connectionnode of the mid-band filter of the second diplexer 112. For the thirdconfiguration, the pole of the switch 192 can be connected to a thirdthrow which is coupled (through a signal path 260) to the switch 184while bypassing the first and second diplexers 181, 182.

For high-band operations, the HB PAMiD block 124 can be coupled to thefirst high-band filter (HB1) of the first diplexer 181, to the secondhigh-band filter (HB2) of the second diplexer 182, or to an antennabypassing the diplexers 181, 182. For the first configuration, thesignal node (HB) of the HB PAMiD block 124 is shown to be coupled to apole of a switch 190 (e.g., SP3T) through a node HB_IN, and the pole canbe connected to a second throw which is coupled (through a signal path252) to the connection node of the first high-band filter (HB1) of thefirst diplexer 181. For the second configuration, the pole of the switch190 can be connected to a third throw which is coupled (through a signalpath 254) to the connection node of the second high-band filter (HB2) ofthe second diplexer 182. For the third configuration, the pole of theswitch 190 can be connected to a first throw which is coupled (through asignal path 250) to the switch 184 while bypassing the first and seconddiplexers 181, 182.

Referring to FIG. 7, the common connection node of the first diplexer181 is shown to be connectable to the antenna 108 b (ANT1) through theswitch 184. Such a connection can be made through a first pole of theswitch 184, a signal path 276, a signal node ANT1_OUT, and an antennapath 154.

In the example of FIG. 7, the switch 184 can include a 2-pole-5-throw(DPST) functionality. As described above, the first pole can be coupledto the antenna 108 b. One of the five throws and the second pole of theswitch 184 can be utilized to provide an antenna swap functionalitythrough signal paths 272, 274 and respective signal nodes AUX_IN,AUX_OUT. In some embodiments, such an antenna swap functionality caninvolve cross-user-equipment cables 132 a, 134 a (collectively indicatedas 130 a) and a diversity receive (DRx) block and a correspondingantenna, similar to the example of FIG. 4. Thus, examples related tosuch antenna swap functionality can be found in the above-mentioned U.S.Publication No. 2016/0365908.

Referring to FIG. 7, the remaining four of the five throws of the switch184 can be coupled to the above-described bypass path 250 associatedwith the HB PAMiD block 124, a signal path 266 associated with thecommon connection node of the first diplexer 181, a signal path 268associated with the common connection node of the second diplexer 182,and the above-described bypass path 260 associated with the MB PAMiDblock 126.

Referring to FIG. 7, some or all of the multiplexing architecture 100can be controlled by a controller. For example, a mobile industryprocessor interface (MIPI) based controller 116 can be provided tocontrol the switches 190, 192 and 184. Such a controller can provide itscontrol functionality based on, for example, I/O voltage (VIO), clocksignal (CLK), control input (DATA), and supply voltage (VBATT).

In the example of FIG. 7, the multiplexing architecture 100 is shown tobe supported by the antennas 108 b and 108 c. In some embodiments, suchantennas can be similar to the corresponding antennas of the example ofFIG. 3.

As mentioned above, the first high-band filter (HB1) of the firstdiplexer 181 of FIG. 7 is configured to support a frequency range thatis smaller than the high-band frequency range of the single triplexer 11of FIG. 3, as well as the high-band frequency range of the diplexer 51of FIG. 6. Similarly, the second high-band filter (HB2) of the seconddiplexer 182 of FIG. 7 is configured to support another frequency rangethat is also smaller than the high-band frequency range of the singletriplexer 11 of FIG. 3, as well as the high-band frequency range of thediplexer 51 of FIG. 6. In such example frequency ranges, the firsthigh-band filter (HB1) of the first diplexer 181 can support cellularbands B41 and B7; and the second high-band filter (HB2) of the seconddiplexer 182 can support cellular bands B30 and B40. As also describedherein, such narrower frequency ranges associated with split triplexerscan result in improvement of performance.

It is noted that in each of the example architectures of FIGS. 3 and 6,an antenna swap switch assembly is provided (e.g., 12 in FIG. 3, and 53in FIG. 6) to connect to different antennas if loading conditions makeone antenna less favorable for transmission. In some embodiments, and asdescribed above, such a switch assembly can be configured to enableconnection of more than one diplexer in a multiplexing architecture suchas in the example of FIG. 7. The additional throw(s) implemented on sucha switch that is already dedicated in the architecture typically doesnot have significant impact on performance.

It is noted that in the example multiplexing architecture 100 of FIG. 7(when compared to the example of FIG. 6), the low-band associated withthe LB PAMiD block 128 is combined in diplex with the MB/HB Rx MIMOblock 122 instead of the MB/HB Tx/Rx of the PAiD blocks 126, 124. It isfurther noted that the combining of the LB PAMiD block 128 with theMB/HB MIMO Rx block 122 as described herein does not require a MB/HBcarrier aggregation duplex support. For example, Rx-only filters can beutilized for signals associated with the MIMO Rx block 122 because ofthe relaxed requirements. Further, no series cascade of multipleduplexing is present to add excess loss.

Referring to FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the MB/HB carrier aggregationsplit-diplexers configuration of the multiplexing architecture 100 canbe implemented for dedicated connection to the second MB/HB antenna(Ant1), and all simultaneous carrier aggregation and DL MIMO (e.g., 4×4)operations can be supported with less loss, and with an added advantageof sufficient LB harmonic filtering. With respect to the switch 184, theadditional throws utilized on that switch for the split diplexers 181,182 can be part of, or an extension of, a switch assembly that isalready dedicated in the architecture; thus implementation of suchadditional throws does not have significant impact on performance.

FIG. 8 shows that in some embodiments, a front-end architecture can befurther optimized to reduce switch losses by providing more outputs fromthe PAiD blocks (e.g., some or all of the MB and HB PAiD blocks 126,124). Such increased number of outputs can be achieved by providingappropriate switches in respective blocks. Such increased number ofoutputs in the PAiD blocks can allow elimination or reduction of thefilter/bypass selection switches inside the multiplexing architecture100. In such a configuration, overall switch losses can be significantlyreduced.

In the example of FIG. 8 the ULCA block 120, the MIMO Rx block 122, thefirst and second diplexers 181, 182, the LB PAMiD block 128, theduplexer 183, and the signal routing configuration on the antenna sidecan be similar to the respective examples of FIG. 7. In the example ofFIG. 8, however, the filter/bypass selection switches (190, 192 in FIG.7) are absent in the multiplexing architecture 100. Instead,functionalities associated with such selection switches can beimplemented in switches associated with the HB and MB PAiD blocks (124,126).

For example, the HB PAMiD block 124 can include first and secondswitches 170 a, 170 b, with each including two poles and multiplethrows, similar to the example of FIG. 5. The first switch 170 a can beutilized to route signals to the first high-band filter (HB1) of thefirst diplexer 181, or to route signals to a bypass path. Similarly, thesecond switch 170 b can be utilized to route signals to the secondhigh-band filter (HB2) of the second diplexer 182, or to route signalsto a bypass path.

More particularly, one of the two poles of the first switch 170 a can becoupled to the first high-band filter (HB1) of the first diplexer 181,through a signal node HB1 of the HB PAMiD block 124, a signal nodeHB1_IN of the multiplexing architecture 100, and a signal path 282.Similarly, one of the two poles of the second switch 170 b can becoupled to the second high-band filter (HB2) of the second diplexer 182,through a signal node HB2 of the HB PAMiD block 124, a signal nodeHB2_IN of the multiplexing architecture 100, and a signal path 284. Theother pole of the first switch 170 a and the other pole of the secondswitch 170 b can be connected together to provide a bypass path to theswitch 184, through a signal node HBbp, through a signal node HBbp_IN ofthe multiplexing architecture 100, and a signal path 280.

Referring to FIG. 8, for mid-band operations, the MB PAMiD block 126 caninclude a switch 172 having three poles and multiple throws, similar tothe example of FIG. 5. The first and second poles can be utilized toroute signals to the mid-band filters of the respective diplexers 181,182; and the third pole can be utilized to route signals to a bypasspath.

More particularly, the first pole of the switch 172 can be coupled tothe mid-band filter of the first diplexer 181, through a signal node MB1of the MB PAMiD block 126, a signal node MB1_IN of the multiplexingarchitecture 100, and a signal path 286. Similarly, the second pole ofthe switch 172 can be coupled to the mid-band filter of the seconddiplexer 182, through a signal node MB2 of the MB PAMiD block 126, asignal node MB2_IN of the multiplexing architecture 100, and a signalpath 288. The third pole of the switch 172 can be coupled to a bypasspath 290 and to the switch 184, through a signal node MBbp, and a signalnode MBbp_IN of the multiplexing architecture 100.

As described herein, the present disclosure can include a multiplexingarchitecture that can be configured to provide MB/HB carrier aggregation(CA) and MIMO in MB and HB, with LB harmonics sufficiently filtered andwith a reduced insertion loss (when compared to architectures that forceseries cascade of more than one diplexer). As also described herein,such a multiplexing architecture can be achieved by, for example,splitting a conventional triplexer (e.g., LB: 700-960 MHz, MB: 1452-2200MHz, HB: 2300-2690 MHz), or a conventional diplexer (e.g., MB: 1452-2200MHz, HB: 2300-2690 MHz), into two optimized diplexers. The firstdiplexer can be configured to support, for example, B41/B7 bands withMB: 1710-2200 MHz, and HB1: 2496-2690 MHz. The second diplexer can beconfigured to support, for example, B40/B30 bands with MB: 1710-2200MHz, and HB2: 2300-2400 MHz. As described herein, each of such twodiplexers can have lower loss than the conventional triplexer, as wellas the conventional diplexer.

In some embodiments, and as described herein, a multiplexingarchitecture having one or more features as described herein can includea feature where a low-band is combined with a MIMO Rx MB/HB block (e.g.,a diversity Rx (DRx) module) to enable harmonic filtering of the LBharmonics for harmonic rejection and improved performance inharmonically related DL CA configurations. As also described herein, anantenna swap switch can generate harmonics and typically cannot supportextremely low harmonic levels required or desired for optimumperformance if a low-band signal is routed through the antenna swapswitch without a low-pass filter after the switch. A multiplexingarchitecture having one or more features as described herein can solvesuch an issue.

In some embodiments, and as described herein, a multiplexingarchitecture having one or more features as described herein can includea bypass architecture configured to allow single band operation(s), aswell as to allow switch-combined or ganged combinations of filters to bedirectly connected to the antenna with low loss.

In some embodiments, and as described herein, a multiplexingarchitecture such as the example of FIG. 7 can provide a simpler PAiDswitching design with fewer routes to the split-diplexers assembly, withsome penalty for insertion loss, but with a lower cost associated withthe PAiD.

In some embodiments, and as described herein, a multiplexingarchitecture having one or more features as described herein can includea feature where an antenna swap is enabled for some or all merged bandsusing, for example, a DP5T switch (e.g., as shown in the example of FIG.7). Such an architecture can allow for the MB/HB PAiD Tx and LB antennaswap to be managed separately with optimum implementation in the LB PAiDswitching configuration in PAiDs designed to support multiple outputs ata reduced insertion loss, to manage the multiple routes to the diplexersand bypass route(s).

Multiplexing Architecture Having a Quadplexer:

As described herein, the example front-end architecture of FIG. 3 relieson a single triplexer that supports the entire example high-band rangeof 2300 MHz-2690 MHz, and such a frequency range is only separated fromthe upper end of the example mid-band frequency range (1710 MHz-2200MHz) by a 100 MHz gap. Accordingly, the example architecture of FIG. 3can have significant insertion loss at or near the band edges whereadjacent band edges are closest or sufficiently near to each other.

FIG. 9 shows that in some embodiments, a multiplexing architecture 100can include a quadplexer 301 having one or more features as describedherein. In the example of FIG. 9, the quadplexer 301 can be configuredto include two high-band filters, HB1 and HB2, to thereby split thefairly wide frequency range of the high-band filter (HB) of FIG. 3(e.g., 2300-2690 MHz) into two separate bands (e.g., HB1 in a range of2496-2690 MHz, and HB2 in a range of 2300-2400 MHz). Such animplementation can be utilized in an effort to, for example, reduce theloss of each of those bands. In some embodiments, such split high-bands(HB1 and HB2) can be combined with a mid-band (MB) and a low-band (LB)in the quadplexer 301.

In some embodiment, the quadplexer 301 of FIG. 9 can be configured tosupport the low-band in a range of 698-960 MHz, the mid-band in a rangeof 1710-2200 MHz, the first high-band (HB1) in a range of 2496-2690 MHz,and the second high-band (HB2) in a range of 2300-2400 MHz.

In the example of FIG. 9, multiple antennas are provided to supportcarrier aggregation (CA) and/or MIMO operations. For example, uplink(UL) carrier aggregation (CA) (ULCA) can be achieved with an ULCA block120 and an antenna 108 a, through an antenna path 140 (from an outputULCA_OUT of the ULCA block 120 to the antenna 108 a). In someembodiments, such an uplink carrier aggregation configuration can besimilar to the corresponding example of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 9, in another example, MIMO receive operations can beachieved in mid-band and high-band with a MIMO block 122 and an antenna108 b. More particularly, signals can be routed from the antenna 108 bto the MIMO block 122 through an antenna path 300 and a signal nodeMIMO_ANT.

In the example of FIG. 9, another MIMO block 123 can support receiveoperations in mid-band and high-band with an antenna 108 e, through anantenna path 360. In some embodiments, such an antenna (108 e) can be adiversity antenna (ANT3) configured to support mid and high-bands.

Referring to FIG. 9, various power amplifier module integrated duplexer(PAMiD) blocks can be provided to support low-band, mid-band, andhigh-band operations. The low-band operations can be supported by alow-band (LB) power amplifier module integrated duplexer (PAMiD) block128 configured to support a plurality of low-band frequency bands fortransmission. In some embodiments, the LB block 128 can support receiveoperations with its duplexer functionality. In some embodiments, the LBblock 128 can include a switch 174 having two poles and N throws (e.g.,N=12), to support the plurality of low-band frequency bands as well asan antenna swapping functionality.

Referring to FIG. 9, the mid-band operations can be supported by amid-band (MB) power amplifier module integrated duplexer (PAMiD) block126 configured to support a plurality of mid-band frequency bands fortransmission. In some embodiments, the MB block 126 can support receiveoperations with its duplexer functionality. In some embodiments, the MBblock 126 can include a switch 172 having two poles and N throws (e.g.,N=7), to support the plurality of mid-band frequency bands.

Referring to FIG. 9, the high-band operations can be supported by ahigh-band (HB) power amplifier module integrated duplexer (PAMiD) block124 configured to support a plurality of high-band frequency bands fortransmission. In some embodiments, the HB block 124 can support receiveoperations with its duplexer functionality. In some embodiments, the HBblock 124 can include first and second switches 170 a, 170 b, with eachswitch having two poles and N throws (e.g., N=4), to support theplurality of high-band frequency bands.

In some embodiments, MIMO and PAMiD aspects of the foregoing blocks 122,124, 126 and 128 can be similar to the corresponding blocks of theexample of FIG. 5. Thus, examples related to some or all of theforegoing ULCA block 120, MIMO Rx block 122, HB PAMiD block 124, MBPAMiD block 126, and LB PAMiD block 128 can be found in theabove-mentioned U.S. Publication No. 2018/0019768.

Referring to FIG. 9, the quadplexer 301 is shown to have a commonconnection node on the antenna side, and each of the low, mid, firsthigh (HB1) and second high-band (HB2) filters is shown to have arespective connection node on the other side.

Referring to FIG. 9, a diplexer 303 can be provided. Such a diplexer canbe configured to support mid and high-bands, with the high-band (HB)implemented to support the fairly wide frequency range (e.g., 2300-2690MHz). The diplexer 303 is shown to have a common connection node on theantenna side, and each of the mid and high-band filters is shown to havea respective connection node on the other side.

Referring to FIG. 9, a triplexer 305 can be provided. Such a triplexercan be configured to support mid, first high (HB1) and second high (HB2)bands. In some embodiments, the first and second high-band filters (HB1,HB2) can have split frequency ranges similar to the quadplexer 301. Thetriplexer 305 is shown to have a common connection node on the antennaside, and each of the mid, first high and second high-band filters isshown to have a respective connection node on the other side.

For low-band operations, the LB PAMiD block 128 can be coupled to anantenna 108 c (Primary LB/MLB/MB/HB Ant (ANT0)), or to an antenna 108 d(Diversity LB/MLB/MB/HB Ant (ANT2)). For the former connectivityconfiguration, a first signal node (LB1, which is coupled to the firstpole of the switch 174) of the LB PAMiD block 128 is shown to be coupledto the LB filter of the quadplexer 301, through a signal path 318, anode LB_IN of the multiplexing architecture 100, and a signal path 336.For the latter connectivity configuration, a second signal node (LB2,which is coupled to the second pole of the switch 174) of the LB PAMiDblock 128 is shown to be connectable to the antenna 108 d through asignal path 320, a cross-user equipment cable 350, a LB DRx block 131, asignal path 354, a LB filter of a diplexer 307, and an antenna path 358.

For mid-band operations, the MB PAMiD block 126 can be coupled to theantenna 108 c, or to the antenna 108 d. For the former connectivityconfiguration, a first signal node (MB1, which is coupled to the firstpole of the switch 172) of the MB PAMiD block 126 is shown to be coupledto the MB filter of the quadplexer 301, through a signal path 312, anode MB_IN of the multiplexing architecture 100, and a signal path 334.For the latter connectivity configuration, a second signal node (MB2,which is coupled to the second pole of the switch 172) of the MB PAMiDblock 126 is shown to be connectable to the antenna 108 d through asignal path 314, the MB filter of the diplexer 303, a signal path 342, across-user equipment cable 346, a MBHB DRx block 133, a signal path 356,a MBHB filter of the diplexer 307, and the antenna path 358.

For high-band operations, the HB PAMiD block 124 can be coupled to theantenna 108 c for each of the first and second split high-bands (HB1,HB2), or to the antenna 108 d for the high-band (HB). For the HB1connectivity configuration, a first signal node (HB1, which is coupledto one of the two poles of the switch 170 a) of the HB PAMiD block 124is shown to be coupled to the HB1 filter of the quadplexer 301, througha signal path 302, a node HB1_IN of the multiplexing architecture 100,and a signal path 330. For the HB2 connectivity configuration, a secondsignal node (HB2, which is coupled to one of the two poles of the switch170 b) of the HB PAMiD block 124 is shown to be coupled to the HB2filter of the quadplexer 301, through a signal path 306, a node HB2_INof the multiplexing architecture 100, and a signal path 332. For the HBconnectivity configuration, a third signal node (HB, which is coupled tothe other pole of the switch 170 a and also coupled to the other pole ofthe switch 170 b) of the HB PAMiD block 124 is shown to be connectableto the antenna 108 d through a signal path 304, the HB filter of thediplexer 303, the signal path 342, the cross-user equipment cable 346,the MBHB DRx block 127, the signal path 356, the MBHB filter of thediplexer 307, and the antenna path 358.

Referring to FIG. 9, the above-referenced LB DRx block 131 can include aswitch 141 having two poles and N throws. One of the N throws can becoupled to a signal node LB_Tx to support the above-describedconnectivity between the LB PAliD block 128 and the antenna 108 d. Oneof the two poles can be coupled to a signal node LB1 which is coupled tothe LB filter of the diplexer 307 through the signal path 354 to supportthe foregoing connectivity. The other of the two poles can be coupled toa signal node LB2, and such a node can be coupled to one of the throwsof the switch 174 of the LB PAliD block 128, through a cross-userequipment cable 352, a signal path 322, and a signal node LB_DRx of theLB PAliD block 128. Accordingly, an antenna swap functionality can beprovided with the cross-user-equipment cables 350, 352, the LB DRx block131, and corresponding antennas. Examples related to such antenna swapfunctionality can be found in the above-mentioned U.S. Publication No.2016/0365908.

Referring to FIG. 9, the above-referenced MBHB DRx block 133 can includea switch 143 having two poles and N throws. One of the N throws can becoupled to a signal node MBHB_Tx to support the above-describedconnectivity between the MB PAliD block 126 and the antenna 108 d, aswell as the above-described connectivity between the HB PAliD block 124and the antenna 108 d. One of the two poles can be coupled to a signalnode MBHB1 which is coupled to the MGHB filter of the diplexer 307through the signal path 356 to support the foregoing connectivities.Similarly, the signal node MBHB2 can be coupled to a signal node HB1 DRxof the HB PAliD block 124, through the cross-user equipment cable 348,the signal path 344, the HB1 filter of the triplexer 305, and a signalpath 308. Similarly, the signal node MBHB2 can be coupled to a signalnode HB2_DRx of the HB PAliD block 124, through the cross-user equipmentcable 348, the signal path 344, the HB2 filter of the triplexer 305, anda signal path 310. Accordingly, antenna swap functionalities can besupported for respective bands with the cross-user-equipment cables 346,348, the MGHB DRx block 133, and corresponding antennas. Examplesrelated to such antenna swap functionalities can be found in theabove-mentioned U.S. Publication No. 2016/0365908.

Referring to FIG. 9, some or all of the multiplexing architecture 100can be controlled by a controller. For example, a mobile industryprocessor interface (MIPI) based controller 116 can be provided tocontrol the various switches that are coupled or connectable to themultiplexing architecture 100. Such a controller can provide its controlfunctionality based on, for example, I/O voltage (VIO), clock signal(CLK), control input (DATA), and supply voltage (VBATT).

As mentioned above, the first high-band filter (HB1) of the quadplexer301, and/or the HB1 filter of the triplexer 305 of FIG. 9 are/isconfigured to support a frequency range that is smaller than thehigh-band frequency range of the single triplexer 11 of FIG. 3.Similarly, the second high-band filter (HB2) of the quadplexer 301,and/or the HB2 filter of the triplexer 305 of FIG. 9 are/is configuredto support another frequency range that is also smaller than thehigh-band frequency range of the single triplexer 11 of FIG. 3. In suchexample frequency ranges, the first high-band filter (HB1) can supportcellular bands B41 and B7; and the second high-band filter (HB2) cansupport cellular bands B30 and B40. As also described herein, suchnarrower frequency ranges associated with split high-band filters canresult in improvement of performance.

Referring to the example of FIG. 9, it is noted that an antenna swapfunctionality can be accomplished in a PAiD (e.g., a LB PAMiD 128)switch assembly (e.g., switch 174) at a much lower loss, and such aconfiguration can enable various example connectivity configurations ofFIG. 9 behind the quadplexer 301 in order to reduce losses and avoidharmonic challenges of combining bands in carrier aggregation that areharmonically related.

It is also noted that the example multiplexing architecture of FIG. 9can provide excellent filtering capability, and does not place theantenna swap switch directly on or near an antenna feed where theforegoing problem becomes less manageable. In the example of FIG. 9, theexample antenna swap connectivities can include cross-user equipmentcables shown to be connectable to the respective DRx (diversity Rx)blocks or modules located on an opposite end, or at a sufficientlydistant location, of the user equipment.

As described herein, the present disclosure can include a front-endarchitecture that can be configured to support splitting of the HB1(e.g., 2496-2690 MHz) above 2.4 GHz WLAN frequency and the HB2 (e.g.,2300-2400 MHz) below 2.4 GHz WLAN frequency. Accordingly, such anarchitecture can enable HB1-HB2 carrier aggregation support with reducedloss.

As also described herein, antenna swap for cross-user-equipmentconnectivity of blocks to different antennas can be accomplished usingthe switches of the PAiD blocks at much lower loss than cascading anadditional switch.

In the various examples related to FIG. 9, a multiplexing architecture100 is indicated as including the quadplexer 301. It will be under stoodthat such a multiplexing architecture can also include, for example, thetriplexer 305.

Examples of Product Implementations:

FIG. 10 shows that in some embodiments, one or more features of thepresent disclosure can be implemented in a packaged module 400. Such amodule can include a packaging substrate 402 configured to support aplurality of components, circuits, etc. The module 400 can include oneor more multiplexing architectures as described herein. For example, oneor more of the multiplexing architectures 100 described in reference toFIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 can be included in the module 400. Asdescribed herein, such a multiplexing architecture can include amultiplexing circuit 404 and a control component. In some embodiments,the multiplexing circuit 404 can include one or more multiplexers (e.g.,a quadplexer, split triplexers, split diplexers) configured to supportsplit high-bands to provide improved performance.

In some embodiments, the packaged module 400 of FIG. 10 may or may notinclude other functional circuits, blocks, etc. Accordingly, thepackaged module 400 of FIG. 10 can be implemented as, for example, amultiplexer module, a front-end module, a switch module, etc.

In some implementations, an architecture, device and/or circuit havingone or more features described herein can be included in an RF devicesuch as a wireless device. Such an architecture, device and/or circuitcan be implemented directly in the wireless device, in one or moremodular forms as described herein, or in some combination thereof. Insome embodiments, such a wireless device can include, for example, acellular phone, a smart-phone, a hand-held wireless device with orwithout phone functionality, a wireless tablet, a wireless router, awireless modem configured to support machine type communications, awireless access point, a wireless base station, etc. Although describedin the context of wireless devices, it will be understood that one ormore features of the present disclosure can also be implemented in otherRF systems such as base stations.

FIG. 11 depicts an example wireless device 500 having one or moreadvantageous features described herein. In some embodiments, a front-endmodule 400 having one or more features as described herein can beimplemented in such a wireless device.

In the example of FIG. 15, power amplifiers (PAs) are depicted in a PAmodule 512; however, it will be understood that such power amplifierscan be implemented in one or more functional blocks, one or more devicessuch as die or modules, etc. Such power amplifiers can receive theirrespective RF signals from a transceiver 510 that can be configured andoperated to generate RF signals to be amplified and transmitted, and toprocess received signals. The transceiver 510 is shown to interact witha baseband sub-system 508 that is configured to provide conversionbetween data and/or voice signals suitable for a user and RF signalssuitable for the transceiver 510. The transceiver 510 is also shown tobe connected to a power management component 506 that is configured tomanage power for the operation of the wireless device 500. Such powermanagement can also control operations of the baseband sub-system 508and other components of the wireless device 500.

The baseband sub-system 508 is shown to be connected to a user interface502 to facilitate various input and output of voice and/or data providedto and received from the user. The baseband sub-system 508 can also beconnected to a memory 504 that is configured to store data and/orinstructions to facilitate the operation of the wireless device, and/orto provide storage of information for the user.

In the example of FIG. 15, a diversity receive (DRx) module 540 can beimplemented between one or more diversity antennas (e.g., diversityantenna 530) and the front-end module 100. Such a configuration canallow an RF signal received through the diversity antenna 530 to beprocessed (in some embodiments, including amplification by an LNA) withlittle or no loss of and/or little or no addition of noise to the RFsignal from the diversity antenna 530. Such processed signal from theDRx module 540 can then be routed to the front-end module 100 throughone or more signal paths.

In the example of FIG. 11, a plurality of antennas (e.g., 520 a, 520 b)can be configured to, for example, facilitate transmission of RF signalsfrom the PA module 512. In some embodiments, receive operations can alsobe achieved through some or all of the antennas 520 a, 520 b.

For the purpose of description, it will be understood that low band(LB), mid band (MB), and high band (HB) can include frequency bandsassociated with such bands. Such frequency bands can include cellularfrequency bands such as the examples listed in Table 1. It will beunderstood that at least some of the bands can be divided intosub-bands. It will also be understood that one or more features of thepresent disclosure can be implemented with frequency ranges that do nothave designations such as the examples of Table 1.

TABLE 1 Tx Frequency Rx Frequency Band Mode Range (MHz) Range (MHz) B1FDD 1,920-1,980 2,110-2,170 B2 FDD 1,850-1,910 1,930-1,990 B3 FDD1,710-1,785 1,805-1,880 B4 FDD 1,710-1,755 2,110-2,155 B5 FDD 824-849869-894 B6 FDD 830-840 875-885 B7 FDD 2,500-2,570 2,620-2,690 B8 FDD880-915 925-960 B9 FDD 1,749.9-1,784.9 1,844.9-1,879.9 B10 FDD1,710-1,770 2,110-2,170 B11 FDD 1,427.9-1,447.9 1,475.9-1,495.9 B12 FDD699-716 729-746 B13 FDD 777-787 746-756 B14 FDD 788-798 758-768 B15 FDD1,900-1,920 2,600-2,620 B16 FDD 2,010-2,025 2,585-2,600 B17 FDD 704-716734-746 B18 FDD 815-830 860-875 B19 FDD 830-845 875-890 B20 FDD 832-862791-821 B21 FDD 1,447.9-1,462.9 1,495.9-1,510.9 B22 FDD 3,410-3,4903,510-3,590 B23 FDD 2,000-2,020 2,180-2,200 B24 FDD 1,626.5-1,660.51,525-1,559 B25 FDD 1,850-1,915 1,930-1,995 B26 FDD 814-849 859-894 B27FDD 807-824 852-869 B28 FDD 703-748 758-803 B29 FDD N/A 716-728 B30 FDD2,305-2,315 2,350-2,360 B31 FDD 452.5-457.5 462.5-467.5 B32 FDD N/A1,452-1,496 B33 TDD 1,900-1,920 1,900-1,920 B34 TDD 2,010-2,0252,010-2,025 B35 TDD 1,850-1,910 1,850-1,910 B36 TDD 1,930-1,9901,930-1,990 B37 TDD 1,910-1,930 1,910-1,930 B38 TDD 2,570-2,6202,570-2,620 B39 TDD 1,880-1,920 1,880-1,920 B40 TDD 2,300-2,4002,300-2,400 B41 TDD 2,496-2,690 2,496-2,690 B42 TDD 3,400-3,6003,400-3,600 B43 TDD 3,600-3,800 3,600-3,800 B44 TDD 703-803 703-803General Comments:

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” The word “coupled”, as generally usedherein, refers to two or more elements that may be either directlyconnected, or connected by way of one or more intermediate elements.Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similarimport, when used in this application, shall refer to this applicationas a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Wherethe context permits, words in the above Description using the singularor plural number may also include the plural or singular numberrespectively. The word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items,that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: anyof the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and anycombination of the items in the list.

The above description of embodiments of the invention is not intended tobe exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosedabove. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the inventionare described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalentmodifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as thoseskilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while processesor blocks are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments mayperform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in adifferent order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved,added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified. Each of these processes orblocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, whileprocesses or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series,these processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel, or maybe performed at different times.

The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments.

While some embodiments of the inventions have been described, theseembodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methodsand systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of otherforms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in theform of the methods and systems described herein may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the disclosure. Claims and theirequivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as wouldfall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multiplexing architecture comprising: aquadplexer configured to support carrier aggregation with a commonantenna, and including a low-band filter, a mid-band filter, a firsthigh-band filter, and a second high-band filter, each filter having arespective input node, the quadplexer including a common output nodeassociated with the common antenna; a low-band power amplifier moduleincluding a switch and an output node to allow a transmit operation witha selected one of a plurality of low-band frequency bands, the outputnode of the low-band power amplifier module coupled to the input node ofthe low-band filter without a switch; a mid-band power amplifier moduleincluding a switch and an output node to allow a transmit operation witha selected one of a plurality of mid-band frequency bands, the outputnode of the mid-band power amplifier module coupled to the input node ofthe mid-band filter without a switch; and a high-band power amplifiermodule including a first switch and a first output node to allow atransmit operation with a first selected one of a plurality of high-bandfrequency bands, the first output node of the high-band power amplifiermodule coupled to the input node of the first high-band filter without aswitch, the high-band power amplifier module further including a secondswitch and a second output node to allow a transmit operation with asecond selected one of the plurality of high-band frequency bands, thesecond output node of the high-band power amplifier module coupled tothe input node of the second high-band filter without a switch.
 2. Themultiplexing architecture of claim 1 wherein the first high-band and thesecond high-band do not overlap.
 3. The multiplexing architecture ofclaim 1 wherein the first high-band includes a frequency range of2496-2690 MHz, and the second high-band includes a frequency range of2300-2400 MHz.
 4. The multiplexing architecture of claim 3 wherein thelow-band includes a frequency range of 700-960 MHz, and the mid-bandincludes a frequency range of 1452-2200 MHz for transmit operations. 5.The multiplexing architecture of claim 4 wherein the first high-bandincludes cellular bands B41 and B7, and the second high-band includescellular bands B40 and B30.
 6. The multiplexing architecture of claim 1further comprising a controller configured to control one or moreswitching operations associated with the multiplexing architecture. 7.The multiplexing architecture of claim 1 further comprising a triplexerhaving a mid-band filter, a first high-band filter, and a secondhigh-band filter, each filter having a respective input node, thetriplexer including a common output node.
 8. The multiplexingarchitecture of claim 7 wherein the triplexer is configured to supporttransmit operations through another antenna through its common outputnode.
 9. A front-end architecture comprising: a low-band power amplifiermodule having an output node, a mid-band power amplifier module havingfirst and second output nodes, and a high-band power amplifier modulehaving first, second, third and fourth output nodes; a quadplexerconfigured to support carrier aggregation with a first antenna, andincluding a low-band filter having an input node coupled to the outputnode of the low-band power amplifier module without a switch, a mid-bandfilter having an input node coupled to the first output node of themid-band power amplifier module without a switch, a first high-bandfilter having an input node coupled to the first output node of thehigh-band power amplifier module without a switch, and a secondhigh-band filter having an input node coupled to the second output nodeof the high-band power amplifier module without a switch, the quadplexerincluding a common output node associated with the first antenna; and atriplexer configured to support carrier aggregation with a secondantenna, and including a mid-band filter with an input node coupled tothe second output node of the mid-band power amplifier module without aswitch, a first high-band filter with an input node coupled to the thirdoutput node of the high-band power amplifier module without a switch,and a second high-band filter with an input node coupled to the fourthoutput node of the high-band power amplifier module without a switch,the triplexer including a common output node associated with the secondantenna, such that antenna swap functionality between the first andsecond antennas is provided for at least some of frequency bandsassociated with the quadplexer and the triplexer.
 10. The front-endarchitecture of claim 9 wherein each of the first high-band filter ofthe quadplexer and the first high-band filter of the triplexer isconfigured to support a frequency range of 2496-2690 MHz, and each ofthe second high-band filter of the quadplexer and the second high-bandfilter of the triplexer is configured to support a frequency range of2300-2400 MHz.
 11. The front-end architecture of claim 10 wherein thelow-band of the quadplexer is configured to support a frequency range of700-960 MHz.
 12. The front-end architecture of claim 10 wherein each ofthe mid-band filter of the quadplexer and the mid-band filter of thetriplexer is configured to support a frequency range of 1452-2200 MHz.13. The front-end architecture of claim 9 further including a firstdiversity receiver block implemented between the triplexer and thesecond antenna.
 14. The front-end architecture of claim 13 wherein thefirst diversity receiver block is configured to support mid-band andhigh-band frequency ranges associated with the filters of the triplexer.15. The front-end architecture of claim 14 wherein the first diversityreceiver block is configured to support an antenna swap functionalitywith another antenna.
 16. The front-end architecture of claim 14 furtherincluding a second diversity receiver block configured to support alow-band frequency range with the second antenna.
 17. The front-endarchitecture of claim 16 wherein the second diversity receiver block isconfigured to support an antenna swap functionality with anotherantenna.
 18. A wireless device comprising: a transceiver; a plurality ofantennas each configured to support either or both of transmit andreceive operations; and a front-end architecture implemented between thetransceiver and the antennas, the front-end architecture including alow-band power amplifier module having an output node, a mid-band poweramplifier module having first and second output nodes, and a high-bandpower amplifier module having first, second, third and fourth outputnodes, the front-end architecture further including a quadplexerconfigured to support carrier aggregation with a first antenna, andincluding a low-band filter having an input node coupled to the outputnode of the low-band power amplifier module without a switch, a mid-bandfilter having an input node coupled to the first output node of themid-band power amplifier module without a switch, a first high-bandfilter having an input node coupled to the first output node of thehigh-band power amplifier module without a switch, and a secondhigh-band filter having an input node coupled to the second output nodeof the high-band power amplifier module without a switch, the quadplexerincluding a common output node associated with the first antenna, thefront-end architecture further including a triplexer configured tosupport carrier aggregation with a second antenna, and including amid-band filter with an input node coupled to the second output node ofthe mid-band power amplifier module without a switch, a first high-bandfilter with an input node coupled to the third output node of thehigh-band power amplifier module without a switch, and a secondhigh-band filter with an input node coupled to the fourth output node ofthe high-band power amplifier module without a switch, the triplexerincluding a common output node associated with the second antenna, suchthat antenna swap functionality between the first and second antennas isprovided for at least some of frequency bands associated with thequadplexer and the triplexer.
 19. The wireless device of claim 18wherein each of the first high-band filter of the quadplexer and thefirst high-band filter of the triplexer is configured to support afrequency range of 2496-2690 MHz, and each of the second high-bandfilter of the quadplexer and the second high-band filter of thetriplexer is configured to support a frequency range of 2300-2400 MHz.20. The wireless device of claim 19 wherein the wireless device is acellular phone configured to support either or both of cellular bandsB41 and B7, and also support either or both of cellular bands B40 andB30.